How Rocket Learned to Read: Read & Listen Edition [NOOK Book]

Overview

Learn to read with this Read & Listen edition of the New York Times bestselling picture book, starring an irresistible dog named Rocket and his teacher, a little yellow bird. Follow along as Rocket masters the alphabet, sounds out words, and finally . . . learns to read all on his own!

With a story that makes reading fun-and will even help listeners learn to read-this book is ideal for kindergarten classrooms and story hour or as a gift ...

More About
This Book

Overview

Learn to read with this Read & Listen edition of the New York Times bestselling picture book, starring an irresistible dog named Rocket and his teacher, a little yellow bird. Follow along as Rocket masters the alphabet, sounds out words, and finally . . . learns to read all on his own!

With a story that makes reading fun-and will even help listeners learn to read-this book is ideal for kindergarten classrooms and story hour or as a gift for that beginning reader. Fresh, charming art by Tad Hills, the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of Duck & Goose, will make this a favorite.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

When a spotted puppy named Rocket takes a great leap into literacy, young readers pay heed. Duck & Goose author Tad Hills records how a tiny yellow bird helps Rocket master the rudiments of the alphabet, pronunciation, and, yes, even reading. A festive picture book to help fledgling readers get their wings.

Lisa Von Drasek

With his new book, How Rocket Learned to Read, Tad Hills…brings a sweet but not saccharine touch to a common struggle of childhood.
—The New York Times

Publishers Weekly

With characters as memorable as those in Hills’s Duck and Goose series, this good-natured story shows readers how Rocket, a spotted puppy, becomes a beginning reader, thanks to a little yellow bird. Hills uses expressive oil and colored pencil spot art (and a subtle sense of humor) to engage readers as Rocket becomes the bird’s pupil; the enthusiastic teacher wisely hooks Rocket on stories before interesting him in “the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet.... Where it all begins.” The illustrations emphasize Rocket’s responsiveness and wide-eyed curiosity as he learns letters (the bird holds up a worm while pointing to W) and progresses from there. “Together they sang out the sounds that each letter makes and spelled the sounds they heard around them.” If the details of Rocket’s transition can be nebulous (“Soon they were spelling words”) Hills still emphasizes the need for practice (“Rocket thought about the bird’s sweet chirp while he sounded out words like D-I-G and W-I-N-D and C-O-L-D”). The amiable characters and gentle text--as well as an alphabet banner the bird strings up--make this a decent primer for humans, too. Ages 3-7. (July)

Children's Literature
- Elizabeth Young

All Rocket wanted to do was lay down under his favorite tree in his favorite spot to nap after a busy morning of chasing leaves. Shortly after he settles down, a bright yellow bird disturbs his slumber by asking if he is her student. Rocket decides to nap elsewhere, but is intrigued by the alphabet, and eventually listens to a story as the bird reads. Anxious to find out if Buster finds his bone in the story, Rocket runs to the tree, only to find it empty, save for the story book about Buster. The next morning finds Rocket at the tree before the bird arrives, announcing he'd like to hear the end of the story about Buster. Such begins the student-teacher relationship that leaves Rocket hungry to learn during the winter while the little bird flies south. While he is alone during the winter, Rocket spells out words in the snow, he spells out what happens in winter; d-i-g, w-i-n-d, the names of his friends. When spring arrives, he spells out words such as m-u-d, and m-e-l-t. When the little yellow bird arrives after her migration Rocket meets her with great anticipation and hearty tail thumps of delight. (w-a-g) Together they continue learning about birds flying north, picnics in the sun, and even about Buster finding his bones. The images are great, especially of the weather turning. Something about the ominous grey sky is very realistic, as is the comforting instance of winter melting. Rocket is portrayed as a dog anyone could own, but is based on the author's own dog, seen in the jacket cover flap. However, the real Rocket has not yet learned to read. The book is perfect for those reluctant to earn to read. Familiar objects lend to curiosity and exploration, resulting in a successful reading experience. A terrific addition to any preschool or home library. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young

School Library Journal

Gr 2—An endearing white dog with black spots loves chasing leaves and chewing sticks. He also loves napping under his favorite tree. Then his sleep is interrupted one spring day by a tiny yellow bird that designates him her first student. Rocket wants no part of her lessons, but the bird is determined to teach him to read. She returns each day, hangs an alphabet banner from the trees, and gushes, "Ah, the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet." Then she begins to read a story, stopping at an enticing part. Overcome by curiosity to hear more, Rocket eventually enters into the bird's lessons, and the two have a grand time using the "mighty, gorgeous alphabet" to spell out all the things in Rocket's world. The bird leaves as winter approaches, but Rocket continues practicing, spelling everything in sight. And when Bird returns the following spring, a tail-wagging, eager-to-read student greets her with joy. The illustrations, rendered in oil and colored pencil, offer full pages, spreads, and oval vignettes. They depict Rocket in all his various moods, from diagonal brows raised in displeasure to delight at his teacher's return. Adults will love the bird's enthusiasm, her use of stories, and her ability to associate lessons with Rocket's everyday life to win over her reluctant pupil. Youngsters will find this addition to Hills's cast of adorable animal characters simply irresistible.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

Meet the Author

More by this Author

Tad Hills is the author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling picture books Duck & Goose and Duck, Duck, Goose. He has created four board books featuring the same characters: What's Up, Duck?, an ALA Notable Book; Duck and Goose, 1, 2, 3; Duck & Goose, How Are You Feeling?; and Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin. He is also the illustrator of Waking Up Wendell, by April Stevens; My Fuzzy Friends; and Knock, Knock, Who's There? Tad Hills lives in Brooklyn with his wife, their two children, and a dog named Rocket who has not (yet) learned how to read!

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AMAZING

I only have the sample. But look! Here I am writing reviews and look! I only have the sample! This is AMAZING so far! Not sure if you should get it? Well, I have the solution! GET THE FREE SAMPLE FIRST!!!!!!!!!!

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted May 10, 2011

Great for pre-readers

This book is great for helping kids understand how learning the alphabet and phonics translates into reading. My 3 year old loves it!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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SteelersGirlJH

Posted March 10, 2011

jordan

it is so cute

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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6231154

Posted February 27, 2011

by Macie

it looks so cute i must have it today!

1 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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6425096

Posted February 5, 2011

We love it!

My son loves when i read this book to him! The pictures are really nice too.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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cjs12345

Posted January 24, 2011

soooo cute

i did not read it but the picture is cute

1 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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8787374

Posted December 28, 2010

this looks realy cute

i now must buy this!!!! it looks ADORABLE

1 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted April 2, 2013

A glorious story

I love this story as much as my son. I am especially fond of the descriptive words used. We read this one regularly.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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8311131

Posted May 29, 2011

Looks cute

Said it

0 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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normysmom

Posted April 22, 2011

Good Story About WHY We Want to Read

Good illustrations, well-done storyline, narration is clear and adequately read by author but YOU can make it more fun by reading it aloud to your child!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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482056

Posted April 15, 2011

Great storyline!

Although the author could read with more expression and enthusiasm, the story is great! My nephew loves this book!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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6828287

Posted April 7, 2011

waste of my money

I'm very disappointed with this book because the narrator it's terrible boring and the writing it's so small that is hard to read. Not worth it!!

0 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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